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Issue 5
The Cannabis Crisis
What is the relation between America’s economic crisis and Mexico’s war on the drug cartel? Pot.
Talks about legalizing America’s illegal drug of choice goes back to Former President Jimmy Carter when he proposed the decriminalization of marijuana to Congress in 1977, a proposal that died in congress, but apparently not in the public’s mind.
Now that we’re facing one of the toughest economic crises since the great depression, and seeing a sharp increase in drug related violence on the U.S.-Mexican border, people are looking to alternatives to boost the economy and at the same time secure our border. Some consider the legazliation of marijuana to be the solution to these issues.
According a study by NORML (The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) eight out of ten Americans support the medical use of marijuana, and nearly 3 out of 4 Americans support a fine only (no jail) for recreational smokers. And while a majority of Americans continue to oppose the legalization of marijuana, 40% now support legalizing small amounts. Zogby, CBS News and Rasmussen national polls this year report similar statistifcs.
But President Obama isn’t quite convinced legalizing the illicit drug is such a great idea. In an online town hall meeting on March 26, he responded to a question on the topic dismissing its legalization by saying, “I don’t think it’s a good strategy to grow our economy”.
One individual who believes we can hit the jackpot with pot is musician Carlos Santana who recently spoke about the legalization of marijuana.
"It’s really way overdue, like the prohibition with the alcohol and stuff like that,” he says, "legalize marijuana and take all that money and invest it in teachers and in education…you will see a transformation in America."
Even Secretary of State Hilary Clinton admitted to the world in a visit to Monterrey, Mexico in late March that Americans have an "insatiable" appetite for illegal drugs that is fueling the drug cartel violence on both sides of the border. 6,000 people have died in 2008 of drug-related violence and 1,000 have been killed in 2009.
So, why shouldn’t we legalize it? Heck, if Olympic champion Michal Phelps and our own President have used the drug then why not take a look into it? After all, it makes ‘cents’ doesn’t it? Some argue that marijuana use is far less destructive than its counterpart alcohol and tobacco, and that it can have benefits such as treating problems with epilepsy, nausea, appetite, and help hospital patients gain weight and lower blood pressure.
Other proponents argue that since it’s already in use, we should make a profit out of it. Of course, not everyone is hopping on the legalize-pot-bandwagon and the opposition may have good reasons for it.
Both the Tobacco and Alcohol industries have had a bad record of owning up to the health problems of their product, and people expect the same from Marijuana companies.
Also, a legally sanctioned marijuana industry, opponents say, would open the door to another powerful, cynical, corporate dispenser of legal drugs.
Opponents also believe it might lead to an increased use of more potent, harmful chemical drugs such as cocaine, heroin, LSD, etc. This slippery slide of drug legalization could lead to other, more harmful drugs coming into the market.
And though there are rumors that marijuana isn’t dangerous and has no serious health repercussions, think again.
According to an article in AskMen.com, smoking marijuana has the potential to cause both bronchitis and cancer of the lungs, throat, and neck, but this is generally no different than inhaling any other burnt carbon-containing matter since they all increase the number of lesions (and therefore possible infections) in your airways.
There are many misconceptions about the infamous doobie, but one thing is for sure, all fronts of the issue need to be dealt with because it undoubtedly has had a trickle effect that is fueling drug wars and costing lives, but most importantly, we all need to understand and respect each other’s view before we can claim our own. And so, the debate goes on.
Fun facts on Marijuana
Cannabis and hemp are the same. "Marijuana" was the Mexican name given to cannabis.
Cannabis was first cultivated in China around 4000 B.C.
One acre of hemp will produce as much paper as four acres of trees.
The original drafts of the Declaration of Independence were written on hemp (marijuana) paper.
Both George Washington and Tomas Jefferson grew marijuana on their plantations.
- Oscar Margáin
